Chapter 27
THE CAR RIDE HOME is unusually quiet. Neither Ben nor Amber says anything. Lily keeps nodding off. And I do a lot of thinking.
Back home, Lily gets a tiny taste of solid food—squash and broccoli blended in the mini-Cuisinart until it’s the consistency of mucus.
Then I wipe her face and hands, change her diaper, rock her as I sing “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” six or seven times, and put her in the crib.
She falls asleep quickly. Finally, I can text Metcalf.
Overheard Ben in argument with Felicia Velasquez, wife of Paulo. Business deal? Affair? Don’t know yet. Also, been thinking: Ben’s daughter Hailey hates him. Could anonymous tip have come from her?
If I think Metcalf will compliment me on my eavesdropping, I am dead wrong. He texts back: So you’re telling me a teenage daughter hates her father, who might be sleeping with a neighbor? For THIS you went undercover?
I’m burning up. And it’s not from the sun. It’s the sheer disrespect. I’m so angry, I decide texts won’t do, so I call him. I’ve been cautioned not to do it again after last time. I do it anyway. He picks up halfway through the first ring. It’s like he was lying in wait.
“Damn you,” I say.
“Did you expect me to be happy with the crumb you sent?”
“Listen—”
“No, you listen,” he says. “That told me nothing, and you know it. Maybe you’re just slowing down. What about when you first saw the two of them together—any telltale signs? Lingering looks? Dilated pupils? Body language?”
“I know what to look for!”
“I know you do,” he says. “That’s why I put you there, girl.” (Girl?) “All I know is, the old Elinor would have been on top of this. This is not the way you used to be.”